Italy is the country with more UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world, with a total of 55 places. Seven of them are in Tuscany, the first one being Florence city centre. These sites are both cities and natural areas, such as the magical Val d’Orcia with its cypresses and hills or the amazing village of Pienza. Which one would you like to discover this year?
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Florence city centre
Florence city centre was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tuscany. It’s a real open-air museum, where the most incredible works of art mix with the architecture of the city. Florence is where Renaissance was born. Florence is where the most important artists realized their masterpieces. Its must-see, such as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Uffizi and the Accademia Galleries or the amazing Signoria Square, make of Florence a unique place that has to be visited at least once in lifetime. Have a look at our walking Tours to save time and discover all the secrets of the city!
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Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
The Duomo Square represents Pisan Romanesque style and has been named the Miracle Square because of the admiration feeling that causes among visitors. The highlight is obviously the Leaning Tower, though is not the only belfry tipping in the city - read our article to discover the other ones.
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Val d’Orcia
When thinking about Tuscany, it’s impossible not to connect it with the stunning landscapes of Val d’Orcia, which became a UNESCO World Heritage in 2004. The smoothy hills and the cypresses popping out to fill the landscape with grace and beauty can’t be seen anywhere else, giving to Val d’Orcia a unique touch. The villages hidden in the valley are real gems and offer some of the best wines of Italy: think about Nobile di Montepulciano, or Rosso di Montalcino… Have you ever tasted them?
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Pienza
Pienza is a small village on a Val d’Orcia hill, and it was in the past considered the embodiment of the perfect Renaissance city. The idea came from Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pio II), a great humanist that projected a utopian city and transformed his birth-place into an example for future constructions. The realization was commissioned to Rossellino, who worked under the guidance of Leon Battista Alberti. Walking through its streets means to take a step into the past as if we were in a time machine, enjoying its perfect balance as they did at that time!
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San Gimignano city centre
San Gimignano is one of the most famous villages of the Tuscan region and became a UNESCO World Heritage in 1990. It’s more touristic than other villages, but it has something that cannot be found anywhere else: the towers. Towers represented in the past the power of the families living in town, and were 72. Now the number has lowered down to 13 - check out our article, where we deal with all the curious facts about the Manhattan of the Middle Ages!
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Siena
From the tradition of the Palio to the amazing Cathedral and the main square, Siena is a jewel in the heart of Tuscany. Its rivalry with Florence increased in the past the construction of artistic and architectural beauties to symbolize the power of the city, which influenced the realization of other cities in Italy too. You can now discover two UNESCO Sites in just one day, join our Tour and find out the story of Siena and San Gimignano with us!
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Medicean villas
The Medici’s family has monuments all over Florence city center, but a special dedication goes to their villas spread on the hills around the city. These beautiful Renaissance examples influenced the style of the time and of modern Europe. The villas and their gardens are in complete harmony with nature, connecting architecture, the natural landscape and cultivated gardens in a perfect way. They became an example for rich Florentine, Italian and European families. Find out the story of this powerful family with our Tour!
